>First, I have been paddling for just two years, but I'm not a kid. I have arthritis in my right shoulder and tendonitis in my left elbow. I have read that the Greenland style of paddling is less stressful on joints since it is more aerobic than strength orientated is there any truth in this?< Welcome to the "Decrepit Paddlers Club." While I do not consider myself to be the "last word" on this topic, I do have some experience in both paddling with arthritis, and Greenland paddles. Yes, when using a Greenland style of paddle correctly you will experience significantly less stress on the joints. However, it should be understood that the Greenland style of paddling is really a "system" which incorporates both paddle and boat. The Greenland paddling technique is really best used with a narrow, low decked boat. The general technique, as I understand and practice it, is performed with the elbows held low and along side the paddlers torso. This is very difficult to accomplish in a beamy high decked boat. I have found that in an appropriately low volume and narrow boat this technique can easily and effectively be adapted to the Euro paddle with a correspondingly significant reduction in stress to the joints. Another very important element of the stroke is to cant the upper edge of the paddle blade slightly forward during the catch phase. However, in an inappropriate boat the technique will not sufficiently work with either type of paddle, and use of the Greenland style paddle in this scenario may actually be self defeating. In such a case the best you can do is to use a paddle with smaller blades, as short of shaft as you are comfortable with, and of course learn and practice proper torso rotation. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Sep 03 2004 - 19:08:51 PDT
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